Mulching - Mulch with 2 to 4 inches of oak leaves, pine needles,
wood-chips, sawdust, rock or bark. This helps conserve moisture, keeping
the soil cool and restricting weed growth. Make sure that the mulch does
not bury the stem of the rhododendron and/or azalea.

Weed Control - Rhododendrons are surface feeders and should have limited cultivation. Weeds may be pulled or shaved off with a sharp hoe. Newspapers or landscape cloth can also be used under bark as a ground cover to control weeds. Chemical weed killers can by used, but be very careful, read the directions carefully.